Leaving the Cup, but the Cup's not leaving me...

Saturday, June 19, 2010 

Match 24
Durban
Netherlands 1 – 0 Japan
Place watched:  OR Tambo International Airport bar

We checked out of the Morulana Guesthouse at 11.  Colin, the owner’s daughter’s boyfriend transported us to the airport.  Along the way, Colin talked about the Springboks—South Africa’s rugby team immortalized in the movie Invicticus.  They are SA’s pride and joy.  The Bafana Bafana captured the imagination of the public for approximately 5 days—from the draw with Mexico on June 11, until the loss to Uruguay on the 16th.  Now most of South Africa was more interested in the Springbok’s friendly match against Italy today, than the World Cup.

Upon arriving at the airport, we searched for the Iberia Airlines desk, but found out they did not open until 4pm.  We had hoped that we could check our bags and then take the Gautrain to Sandton, where we had transferred to a shuttle bus a few days earlier.  It had looked like an interesting place and the train was very speedy, so we thought we would return to check it out during the 9+ hours we had until our flight left Johannesburg.

Forced with the reality that we would have to keep our bags with us, the idea of schlepping them to Sandton and back was less appealing.  We found a bar that was showing the match, so we settled in to watch.

Once again, the Netherlands won in a less-than convincing manner.  They have not yet conceded a goal, but have also not yet put in a dominating victory.  Perhaps they are building up to that…


Match 25
Rustenburg
Ghana 1 – 1 Australia
Place watched:  Intercontinental Hotel conference room

After the match, we were able to check our bags and get our boarding passes.  We then made our way to a hotel we could see through the large windows close to the Departures entrance to the airport.  At the main restaurant, we asked where we could watch the match, and were led upstairs to a conference room.  There were about 25 chairs set up and roughly 12 guys watching a large TV.  Eventually everyone filtered out except for 7 of us… all Americans.  We were all thinking the same thing:  we didn’t travel halfway around the world to NOT watch this match!

Soon after my friend and I sat down the Australians scored.  As poorly as they had played against Germany, they were outplaying Ghana in this game.  Unfortunately, their efforts were about to come undone.  Harry Kewell, their creative striker, was called for a hand ball in the box and sent off.  The resulting penalty kick was converted and the teams were level at a goal each, but Australia would have to seek a win with 10 men.

A lot of times when a team goes down a man, they bunker in and try to counter-attack.  Not the Socceroos!  They continued to attack with numbers, making for a highly entertaining match.  Ghana could not score against the strong Australian resolve.  Unfortunately for the Socceroos, they were also unable to find the net.  The match ended in a flurry knotted at 1 goal.


Match 26
Tshwane/Pretoria
Cameroon 1 - 2 Denmark
Place watched:  Did not watch

When the final whistle sounded, we made our way back to the airport and went through security.  Neither of us had anything to declare, so the process was quick and easy.  Approaching our gate, we looked enviously at a gate where the departure flight was to New York City.  How great it must be to fly only 15 hours to NYC… until we got closer and realized that every passenger was being thoroughly searched.  Actually, the space violation would have been a small price to pay for such a shorter commute—unlike the actual price of that flight, which was surely not a small price.

The boarding was quick and easy, but the flight did not take off from Jo’burg until after 9pm.  Hopefully we can make up the time in the air because we have a short hour and half layover in Madrid.  Then we make our way to London where we will have 3 hours to kill.  Hopefully the time will go quickly; I am ready to be home!